11.13.2013

Welcome to the Glue Dots® Blog Hop! If you need to start from the beginning, click here!

First, I would like it to be known that for the first time in over 11 years of marriage, I HAVE WON!! It really did help that my son played up the 'puppy dog eyes', pushed out his lower lip, and begged, but our Halloween decorations were put away, immediately followed by bringing out the Christmas decorations!! I've always been made to wait until the day after Thanksgiving to begin decorating, but it looks like the "kids are only kids once" talk worked!!! He's just lucky that we always get a live tree, or that would be up, too.

Needless to say, Christmas, decorating, and gift giving is in the forefront of my mind right now! While I'm always up for a good Christmas time sale or bargain, there are times when nothing matches a handmade present.

With this blog hop, we're focusing on handmade gifts that are inexpensive - under $20, and can be made in 20 minutes or less.

My project for this hop is a pack of greeting cards, complete with envelopes. I love when I get these as gifts, because sending a handmade card is never easier than when you have a stash on hand.

Card 1

Card 2

Card 3

Card 4

Card 4 - close up

Card 5

Card 5 - close up

I kept with my 'one paper pack' routine with these cards. They all coordinate without being too matchy-matchy. For this pack, I used the Glitz 6" paper pack Color Me happy. I loved this pack because there are two neat pages that allow this to be a project under 20 minutes:

fotobella.com

Pages like this are built-in sentiments, which is a huge time saver, if you ask me! The straight lines allow you to use your paper trimmer to cut these out in a hurry.

Another time saving hint? When you use sprays or mists, place doilies onto your craft mat. While you're spraying your project, they get some of the overspray and are easily stored away, all ready to use (I used them on Cards 2 and 3).

Easy way to mix it up? Use Pop Up Glue Dots® to add some dimension to your cards (used on Card 4 and 5)

Cards are really easy to package up, too! Stack them with their envelopes, tie a pretty ribbon around them, and you're set! You could even throw stamps onto the cards to make it that much easier for the recipient.

My pack of cards and envelopes was $0.99 at my favorite paper supply store, the paper pack was $2.99 (love those 40% off coupons!!), the ribbon to tie it all up was $1.00 for the roll, and the few ribbons I used on the cards were $0.99 for a sample pack. Total: $5.97! Score!!!

Side note: I can see my mother making me a stack of cards, all stamped and addressed back to her...she's great at subtle hints like that!! lol!!

Now that you're finished at my blog, leave a comment with your favorite
card, enter our giveaway, and hop on to the next Dottess!